Final curtain call

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Final curtain call

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BU L L D AWG Issue 1 - Season Wrap-up

From the Editor Well Georgia fans, another football season is in the books and unfortunately the dream of a national championship appearance is still not a reality. However what is strikingly real is the fact that our nemesis in the SEC East, the Florida Gators, won its second national title in three years. And while the Georgia program under Mark Richt achieved its sixth Top Ten finish in seven years (Georgia finished 10th in the coaches poll and 13th in the AP poll this season), the Georgia teams have only beaten the Mighty Gators twice in the last eight years. As is always the case, Jeff Dantzler’s column this issue does an exceptional job of showing how fine the line is between being great and champions. Richt and company has done a marvelous job and deserves the accolades and pay raises they have received during their tenure. However make no doubt about it, the Bulldog Nation is rightfully restless and tired of being the Sergio Garcia of college football. Somehow our team has to development an attitude to take down the Gators for national accolades to come. And that starts with coaching! Before I get too deep into the future, let me first dole out my upmost respect for all the Georgia players whose collegiate playing careers ended with the 24-14 victory over Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl. Seniors like Mohamed Massaquoi, Brannan Southerland and Dannell Ellerbe are only a few names in this senior class that represented the Georgia G with integrity and greatness. And while the desire of achieving the boyhood dream of playing in the NFL, caused Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno and Asher Allen to leave Georgia early, it goes without saying what an honor it has been to watch them grow as both ath-

letes and men. On page 5, Murray Poole reminds our readers of the greatness we as fans have enjoyed over the last few years with number 7 and 24. Some of the amazing throws and runs by those two certainly have cemented their legacy near the top in the Georgia football annals. However what I liked most about the dynamic duo was the fact they managed to enjoy themselves at Georgia like regular college students. They probably don’t know it now, but they will quickly realize how cherished that experience will be when they clock in for the rest of their lives (employment/the real world) later this year in the NFL. All of us at Bulldawg Illustrated salute these players, which should be apparent by our cover this issue. In the end, the 2008 football season was bitter sweet to say the least. It began with the Dawgs being the media darling, preseason number 1 ranked team and ended with a ho-hum victory over Michigan State in Orlando. The injury bug decimated the team in 2008 and because of that these Bulldogs do deserve a lot of praise. Yes throughout the season, they played like a 7-5 team where penalties and a total lack of rhythm reigned supreme. However in the end only around 20 teams in college football finished the season with a double-digit win total. It wasn’t pretty, but you’re crazy if you think 10 wins was a poor season. Just ask the other 100 teams in the country who fell short of that. However with that being said, the fact that Georgia is unquestionably in the upper echelons of college football only heightens the expectations on the program. Looking forward to 2009, I know Mark Richt and his staff will be making some changes in how things operate. A 2-6 record against Florida certainly shows that status quo isn’t getting the job done. On the defensive side of the ball, it is painfully obvious that the Georgia defense must get back to the mental toughest that always kept the team in games even with things weren’t going well. It’s funny all the arm-chair quarterbacks out there swear the defense needs to apply more pressure by blitzing, etc. However the more I watch, it appears over pursuit is the true culprit in the struggles. It was quite interesting how LSU dominated Georgia Tech’s offense in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. And even more so, when learning they prepared for the option attack by having the scout teams run it without a football. A speed based defense like Georgia’s doesn’t do a darn bit of good when it constantly over-runs plays. Coach Willie Martinez is under fire, but I fully expect him to answer the call!

On the offensive side of the ball, it’s very hard to get too worked up with the 2008 production. However as has been the case since Mark Richt arrived at Georgia, getting short yardage in pressure moments of big games continues to be the offense’s biggest problem. Personally I blame that on the fact that Georgia is very predictable in those situations. Instead of grinding it out on the ground, they take to the air. Throughout the last 8 years, Mark Richt’s offense has maintained a 50/50 run/pass ratio. Since Georgia’s record against Florida is 2-6 during that time, I think it prudent in 2009 that ratio should change to 60/40 run/pass. Can you imagine what 2008 might have been like if Knowshon had 10% more carries? And is there a better way to keep a struggling defense off the field, than keeping the clock running on offense? And since I mentioned Florida, Mark Richt has had tremendous running back production in both his wins over the Gators. With Florida’s athletes, Georgia will never beat the orange and blue consistently if they continue a wide-open offensive approach. Finally I will end on special teams and intangibles. It’s interesting that Urban Meyer coaches his special teams, yet Georgia doesn’t have one person dedicated to it. Instead position coaches, take on the different aspects of special teams (punt/punt return, kick/kick return). Personally I wouldn’t mind Coach Richt following Meyer’s lead and assuming those duties. Or at the very least, appoint one coach who the buck will stop with if improvement isn’t achieved. I have to stop there because by now my free coaching advice will certainly have my editor (wife, Cheri) gasping. Listen I’m like every good Bulldog out there in my undying love of Georgia. I said these things above because I truly believe in Mark Richt and want him to get that national championship ride on his players shoulders that he and his program deserve. I fully expect big things in 2009. Enjoy this issue of Bulldawg Illustrated. We have put to rest the 2008 football season with it, but also begin the journey of 2009. Until then, please check out our center spread feature (pages 12,13) on other UGA sports that are in full swing right now. We’ve included the home schedule of most of the sports in hopes that you and your family will take a trip to paradise (Athens) to support the other programs that make Georgia athletics so great. See you in a month with our Signing Day issue. Until then, GO DAWGS — Vance Leavy

Micah Paul Parkerson

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contents

7

18

6 Capital One Bowl Rewind

15 JD’s Final 2008 Top 25

Murray Poole recounts the Dawgs 24-12 victory over Michigan State at the Capital One Bowl in Orlando.

Jeff Dantzler ended last year with the Dogs number 1, but isn’t as kind this year.

7 Bulldawg Birth Announcement

18 Senior Gala photos

Micah Paul Parkerson makes his debut to the Bulldog Nation.

A big night of paying tribute to the Georgia team.

8 Capital One Bowl photos

The Athens touchdown club ends 2008 naming it Man of the Year and President’s Award.

No issue of BI is complete without our awesome fan photos and the Bulldog Nation represented well.

9 Recruiting Signing Day is close and Carlton DeVooght updates us. Publisher Cha Cha Cha Publishing Editor Vance Leavy Editorial & Ad Director Cheri Leavy

Sports Editor Jeff Dantzler Sales & Marketing Andrew Miller Austin Keeble Web Maven Cheri Leavy

20 GPTC Gala 22 Gruff and Grump They are back after skipping the Bowl issue in protest to the second half debacle against the Jackets.

Sports Murray Poole Layout/Design Vance Leavy Itty Bitty Bulldawg Jan Bone

Ad Design Cheri Leavy Andrew Miller Tech Support Chris Lee Cover Design Vance Leavy

Columnists Carlton DeVooght Al Hickson Reg Murphy Rob Sherrell Chad White Sudy Leavy

Issue 1 - Season Wrap-up, January 20, 2009 - Credits: Chris Collins, Georgia Sports Communications, SEC Sports.com, John Chapman - Bowl shots and cover shot of Knowshon Moreno

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new ONLIN ONLINE NE -BI -BI staffers blog dailyJD’s JD’’s knowledgeable perspective persp pective on anc a ce’’s jibs and UGA sports is tops, V Vance’s jabs ar aree up to the minute on sports, Andrew’s Andrew’’s outlook is well rresearched esear e ched on the ‘Dawgs, Austin’s diehard view-Austin’’s dieh hard fan view eefreshing & Che eri’’s Bulldog point is rrefreshing Cheri’s lifestyle news keeps it ligh light ht -Austin -Austin started a “BullBlawgâ€? “BullB Blawgâ€? g (a video blog that tends to t be hilarious) --'¡V Ă€QDO 7RS FROOHJH --'¡V Ă€QDO 7RS R FROOHJH football teams (UGA is ranked behind T Tech, eech, yikes!) INE always ONLI ONLINE IDQ SKRWRV IU RP 8*$ $ UHODWHG HYHQWV IDQ SKRWRV IURP 8*$ UHODWHG HYHQWV (you can pur chase) purchase) --WULYLD FRQWHVW WULYLD FRQWHVW (gr reeat prizes from frro om UGA Bookstore) B Bookstor re) e (great WDLOJDWH U HFLSH FRPPXQ QLW\ WDLOJDWH UHFLSH FRPPXQLW\ (you can sear rcch and subm mit) search submit) XSFRPLQJ 8*$ $ HYHQWV FDOHQGDU XSFRPLQJ 8*$ HYHQWV FDOHQGDU (you can sear rcch and subm mit) search submit) SRGFDVWV IU RP UHFHQW S SUHVV SRGFDVWV IURP UHFHQW SUHVV conferences FXUU HQW RQOLQH QHZV DE ERXW DOO 8*$ FXUUHQW RQOLQH QHZV DERXW DOO 8*$ VSRUWV FLU FXODWLRQ IHDWXUHV FLUFXODWLRQ IHDWXUHV (you can subscribe,give (y ,g a g gift f or rrenew enew e print and/or online subsc criptions or subscriptions d) change your passwor password) IRUU VX IRU VXEVFULEHUV XEVFULEHUV O ONLINE -the late latest est issue of Bulldawg Bulldaw wg Illustrated ntirety in its en entirety (all edit editorial torial content & advertising) adverrtising)

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To be the best, Dawgs must beat the best Florida has won two of the last three national championships. Georgia has arguably been the Southeastern Conference’s most stable and consistent program in the 2000s, but the inability to beat the Gators has cost the Bulldogs shots at multiple national and Southeastern Conference championships. For a program that has been one of college football’s very best under the watch of one of the country’s elite head coaches, Georgia’s painful losses in Jacksonville have sabotaged the Bulldogs efforts to sit atop the ultimate perch. Since Mark Richt’s arrival in Athens, the Bulldogs have won two SEC championships – precious commodities coming off a sad school record 20-year drought – while amassing six double digit win seasons (though 11 is really the new ten because of the additional games) and a half dozen top ten finishes (though this year’s 10th-place standing in the final coaches poll was greatly marred by an excruciating loss to Tech). Over that same period, Florida has posted three double digit win campaigns and won two national championships. LSU has chalked up five ten-or-more seasons and won two national championships. Those four combined national titles for the Bayou Bengals and Gators came with a total of five losses. LSU won it in 2003 with a loss to Florida. Georgia did the exact same thing the year prior, losing only to the Gators en route to a 13-1 SEC championship campaign and No. 3 national ranking. But that season, both Ohio State and Miami went undefeated and the Dogs didn’t get to play for the big prize. In 2003, no one went undefeated and the Tigers prevailed. It should be noted that the next season, Auburn went a perfect 13-0 and didn’t get to play for the big prize. The Tigers from the loveliest village on the plains remain the last SEC team to go unbeaten since Tennessee 13-0 national championship campaign of 1998. Florida captured the national title in 2006 with a loss to Auburn and a host of knee-knocking victories. It took a major upset of Southern Cal by UCLA to get Florida into the BCS Championship Game, circumstances slightly less similar to the Gators national title of 1996. After being upset by Florida State, the Gators rebounded to win the 1996 SEC Championship Game over Alabama. Top-ranked, undefeated Ohio State fell to 7-3 Michigan. Second-ranked Nebraska was upset by 8-3 Texas in the Big XII Championship Game. The Gators got a rematch with the Seminoles in New Orleans, much to the chagrin of Bobby Bowden. This was two years prior to the Big Ten (11) and PAC-10 joining the BCS. Undefeated, second-ranked Arizona State fell to Ohio State in the final minute of the Rose Bowl. In today’s structure, the Sun Devils would have played Florida State. With the door to the big prize amazingly open, the Gators pounded the Seminoles in the Sugar Bowl to win the national title. Getting the picture? You’ve got to be great, have scenarios shape up favorably and be very lucky. LSU was twice ranked No. 1 and twice beaten in 2007. The Tigers then won the SEC Championship Game over Tennessee, had top-ranked West Virginia lose at home to 28point underdog Pittsburgh, watched secondranked Missouri lose to Oklahoma and then leapfrogged fourth-ranked Georgia into the title game where they prevailed. In New Orleans. Again. Site of both of the Tigers BCS Championship Game victories, a scant 70 miles from LSU’s campus in Baton Rouge. The Bulldogs finished ranked second. There were no undefeated BCS conference schools in 2008, as Florida terrorized its opposition following an upset loss to Ole Miss. For the third time in the last 13 years, Florida won the national title with a loss. Incidentally, Ole Miss, which beat the last two national champions both on the road, has played Florida four times since 2002. The Rebels have beaten Florida three times. Over the past 19 years, Georgia has beaten Florida three times. There is always a game that determines the level of success of a season. There is a play within that game that determines the outcome.

Georgia had the window to win the national championship in 2002, 2003 and 2007, but red zone failures compounded by missed field goals doomed the Dogs in critical losses. The Bulldogs knocked on the door time and time again, but managed only one touchdown in losing to Florida 20-13 in 2002. The loss is one of the most painful in Georgia history. Had the Dogs won, Georgia likely would have played for the national title or at least headed to New Year’s Day with a shot at a split poll national title. The Dogs pushed inside LSU’s 35 yard line six times and scored three points in a devastating 17-10 Baton Rouge loss the following year. In Jacksonville later that year, Georgia again failed in the red zone, most notably not cashing in on a first-and-goal situation while trailing the Gators 13-10 late in the fourth quarter. The Dogs settled for a field goal and lost 16-13 as Florida struck for three on the ensuing drive. Had the Bulldogs won either of those games, Georgia would have gone to the SEC Championship Game with a shot at the national title. Had the Dogs beaten LSU, Georgia would have played Ole Miss in Atlanta. The window was wide open then, as the coaches at Florida, Alabama and Tech were Ron Zook, Mike Shula and Chan Gailey. In 2007, Georgia kicked four field goals in a 16-12 loss to South Carolina. The Bulldogs threatened time and time again, but couldn’t strike paydirt. Knowshon Moreno twice ran Georgia down the field. Then both times, the Bulldogs ran three straight plays without Moreno touching the ball. That loss cost the Bulldogs a berth in the SEC Championship Game and shot at the national title. Georgia finished No. 2. If Georgia’s magnificent head coach could do two things over, he would have used the versatile, mobile and accurate passing D.J. Shockley in the red zone in place of David Greene in a similar fashion to the way Florida subbed Tim Tebow for Chris Leak on the doorstep in 2006. Just one more red zone touchdown in one of those Florida’s losses or the Baton Rouge setback could have led to a national championship. The other do-over would obviously have been to play Moreno as a freshman in 2006. He certainly would have been worth wins in those narrow losses to Vanderbilt and Kentucky, and then who knows in the seven point setback to Florida? An established Moreno as a sophomore would have touched the ball in the red zone against South Carolina in 2007. There’s such a fine line. Georgia has had the exact same seasons as both Florida and LSU. The Bulldogs have just had them in the wrong seasons. The coaches at Florida, Alabama and Tech now are Urban Meyer, Nick Saban and Paul Johnson. The road to glory is much tougher now. Under Richt’s watch, Georgia is 7-1 against Tech, 5-3 vs. Auburn, 5-3 vs. Tennessee, 3-1 vs. Alabama, 3-2 vs. LSU, 7-1 vs. Kentucky, 7-1 vs. Vanderbilt, 4-0 vs. Arkansas, 4-0 vs. Ole Miss, and 2-0 vs. Mississippi State. But the Bulldogs are 2-6 against the Gators. Chief amongst Richt’s numerous accomplishments are the SEC championships. Georgia went two decades without a crown. When Herschel Walker left Athens, the Bulldogs didn’t win another crown in the final six seasons of Hall of Fame coach Vince Dooley’s tenure, largely because Auburn and Clemson greatly out-recruited (Pat Dye and Danny Ford) the Bulldogs within the Peach State’s borders. Upon Dooley’s retirement, Georgia hired Ray Goff. The following year Florida hired Steve Spurrier. By the time Jim Donnan took over the Bulldogs sagging program, Florida’s machine was at full speed, as was Tennessee’s. But the bases were loaded for Richt, and he knocked it out of the park. So has Meyer, Saban and Les Miles. There’s no league like it. Maybe, just maybe the next time Richt leads the Dogs to the top of the toughest of heaps, the circumstances will break right for Georgia to win the whole thing. But to do that, the Dogs have to beat the Gators – and not lose to Tech.

Bulldawg Illustrated

POOLE SHOTS

By Murray Poole

So long, No. 7 and No. 24 So long Matthew, we’ll miss you launching your laser-like passes to all those capable receivers who performed for the Bulldogs the last three years. So long Knowshon, we’ll miss you putting on those spinning, leaping moves that left opposing defensive players clutching nothing but air for the past two autumns. When Georgia junior quarterback Matthew Stafford and Bulldog redshirt sophomore tailback Knowshon Moreno declared on Jan. 7 their intentions to forego their final seasons of eligibility at UGA and enter the 2009 NFL Draft, it meant that two of the greatest playmakers in school history will no longer be suiting up for Mark Richt’s Bulldogs. Stafford threw for 3,459 yards and a school-record 25 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions in Georgia’s 10-3 2008 season. He also broke the all-time record for total offense in a season after accumulating 3,499 yards and had the secondmost passing yards in one season of any Bulldog in history. For his UGA career, Stafford finished third in school history with 7,731 yards, 51 touchdown passes and 564 completions. He finished with a 27-7 record in three seasons as a starter for the Bulldogs. Moreno averaged 107.7 yards per game en route to a 1,400-yard season in 2008. He became just the second player in school history to have more than 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons (Herschel Walker, 1980-82). Moreno scored 18 touchdowns this past season, which is the most for a Bulldog since Garrison Hearst tallied 21 in 1992. Snagging the second receiving touchdown of his career during Georgia’s 24-12 win over Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl, Moreno finished as the team’s third-leading receiver with 33 catches for 392 yards and two scores in 2008. Following his two seasons in the red and black, Moreno finished No. 4 on Georgia’s all-time top rushers list after totaling 2,734 yards. He also had the fifth (2008-1,400 yds.) and sixth (2007-1,334 yds.) most productive seasons for a running back in school history. And now, as No. 7 and No. 24 get set to embark on their professional careers – and both should go in the NFL’s first round in April – it’s time to reflect how these two players stack up with the alltime greatest Georgia players at their respective positions. Before I talk about Stafford, let me say this unequivocally about Knowshon Moreno – the 5-11, 207-pound tailback from Belford, N.J. is the second best running back I’ve ever witnessed at the University of Georgia … in my more than 50 years of watching the Bulldogs play. No, Moreno wasn’t the “next Herschel,” the dubious label that many Georgia fans always want to hang on some of the high school phenoms that sign with the Bulldogs but, yes indeed, Knowshon was the very best next thing as a running back to Herschel Walker, the legendary Georgia tailback from 1980-82 who rates as arguably the greatest college ball carrier in history. And that’s indeed saying something because there’s been so many brilliant tailbacks to perform between the hedges down through the decades …. people like Garrison Hearst, Rodney Hampton, Tim Worley, Lars Tate, Willie McClendon, Kevin McLee, Glynn Harrison, Jimmy Poulos, Terrell Davis, Robert Edwards, Musa Smith and Thomas Brown. .And then you go back to the 1940s for two guys named Frank Sinkwich and Charley Trippi. Due to the balanced nature of the offenses back then and because they also performed on both sides of the ball, those two didn’t put up the eye-popping numbers that featured running backs do today, but they were tremendous ball carriers in their own right. After all, Sinkwich is the only other Bulldog besides Herschel to capture the Heisman Trophy and almost everyone in Bulldawg Nation is aware that Charley Trippi is looked upon as the greatest all-

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around player in Georgia history. No question, players like Hearst and the mercurial Kent Lawrence (1966-68) had far more straight-away speed than Moreno but when you combine the quickness, power and elusiveness that Knowshon brought to the table in his brief two seasons in a Bulldog uniform and then you also look at his back-toback 1,334 and 1,400 rushing seasons, I don’t think there’s anyone but the legendary No. 34 who should be ranked ahead of Moreno, who along with former Georgia great David Pollack played with more fire and enthusiasm than any Bulldog I’ve ever seen. I think Matthew Stafford came out of Highland Park High in Dallas, Tex. with more hype than any recruit in UGA football history, that is, with the exception of that tailback from Wrightsville, Ga. in 1980. But while Herschel was ranked the No. 1 prep player in America his senior season at Johnson County, Stafford came to Athenstown with a pretty lofty billing himself … that of the No. 1 high school QB in the land. So the collective Dawg Nation was literally chomping at the bit to see Stafford take the field in his frershman season in 2006. And they didn’t have to wait long as the 6-3, 237-pound Stafford saw action in his very first game against Western Kentucky – in fact, even hurling a touchdown pass – and, several games later, moved into the starting lineup to stay. Then, after an up-and-down 2006 campaign which almost always accompanies the development of a true freshman quarterback, Stafford only got better in his next two seasons while guiding the Bulldogs’ attack. There’s been some truly great signalcallers in Georgia annals such as Zeke Bratkowski, Johnny Rauch, Fran Tarkenton, Larry Rakestraw, Preston Ridlehuber, Kirby Moore, Mike Cavan, Andy Johnson, Ray Goff, Buck Belue, John Lastinger, James Jackson, Mike Bobo and the record-breaking Eric Zeier, David Greene and D.J. Shockley. That said, I don’t think there’s ever been a more talented quarterback than Matthew Stafford to grace the hallowed turf of Sanford Stadium. Certainly, no previous Bulldog field general has ever owned the cannon-like arm that Stafford put on display for Georgia fans from 2006-08. You know the old saying, “He can throw a ball through a brick wall,” well, if that ever applied to anyone, it would be Matthew Stafford. And it’s because of that passing arm, Stafford could well be the No. 1 overall pick in this spring’s professional draft. But if you’ll notice what I said about Stafford, I used the words “more talented.” I didn’t claim that Stafford was the “best” quarterback ever to play for the Georgia Bulldogs. That’s because when you look at the whole scheme of things, he wasn’t. As you know, the cool left-hander David Greene was the all-time winningest QB in college football history and, as you also know, Eric Zeier still rates as the most prolific passer in UGA singleseason history with 3,525 yards in 1993 and he, along with Greene, are the only Georgia quarterbacks to surpass 11,000 yards in their career in Athens. While nobody could get the ball to his receivers faster than Stafford, it’s safe to say that Zeier, Greene – and Shockley, too – displayed more touch on the long ball than did Stafford. But, as Georgia fans and media, let us not ever forget the tremendous thrills and exciting wins that Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford brought to us these last several autumns. And the great contributions they made to the Bulldog football program. Indeed, the only thing missing from their UGA resume was they couldn’t lead Georgia to a championship in their playing time between the hedges but that fact was in part due to other areas of the team that didn’t meet expectations. So long, No. 7 and No. 24. We’ll miss you and the best of everything as we begin watching you on Sundays.

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Capital One Bowl Rewind - Georgia 24 Michigan State 12 photos by John Chapman

By Murray Poole BULLDAWG ILLUSTRATED ORLANDO – In the first half here Jan. 1, Matthew Stafford looked nothing like a future NFL quarterback but, in the final two quarters, the Georgia junior looked every bit a No. 1 draft choice as he went on to soar pass Bulldog greats Eric Zeier and D.J. Shockley for the all-time UGA single-season touchdown passes record with 25. Drilling 14 of 17 attempts for 179 yards and a UGA bowl record-tying three touchdowns in the second half, Stafford rallied Georgia to a 24-12 Capital One Bowl victory over Michigan State. For the game, Stafford completed 20-of-31, with one interception, for 250 yards as the Bulldogs posted a 10-win season (final 10-3) for the sixth time in Mark Richt’s eight-year tenure at Georgia. He also made a touchdown-saving tackle after throwing the interception. After the win, Stafford said he was “50-50” on declaring for the NFL draft and returning to Athens for a senior season. “I’m not sure yet,” said the Georgia QB in his post-game press conference. “My time at Georgia has been great and it’s something that I’m contemplating continuing, but there’s also the lure of the NFL draft. I’m going to take the next couple of days to figure out what I want to do.” Of course, as all Georgia fans now know, it took Stafford and the Bulldogs’ All-America tailback, Knowshon Moreno, only six additional days to announce their intentions as, on Jan. 7, both players held a joint press conference to reveal they will be declaring for the 2009 NFL draft. What Stafford wanted to do against the Spartans was to overcome a shaky first half, one which saw the Bulldogs tally just three points and trail by 6-3. “The wind (nearly 25 mph at kickoff) didn’t bother me,” he said. “I just wasn’t performing like I should. In the second half, we just made the plays – my offensive line did a great job all day. The second half was a testament to our guys for staying in there and battling. The record (for touchdown passes) is awesome but the main thing was to send our seniors out with a 40th career win and another 10-win season. For me, the record is just icing on the cake.” Stafford, named the game’s MVP, shared the Capital One Bowl spotlight with a Bulldogs’ defensive unit that bounced back superbly from its poor showing against Georgia Tech in the regular-season finale. Willie Martinez’s unit allowed the Spartans just one touchdown and completely shut down the vaunted Michigan State running game, limiting All-America tailback Javon Ringer to just 47 yards on 20 carries and checking the Spartans as a team to 31 net yards rushing. The Bulldogs notched a season-high six sacks of MSU quarterback Brian Hoyer. “I thought it was fantastic,” said Richt of the defense.”To be sitting there, only down 6-3 at halftime was just a great tribute to our defense. We felt like our defense would be up for the challenge,” he added. “We wanted to force Javon to try and win the game for them. We tackled more in bowl practice than we did all season, and I think we played a lot better defense because we practiced like we did.” “It was a great effort by all the players and Coach Martinez,” said Georgia sophomore linebacker Rennie Curran. “We’re not a bad defense and we wanted to come out and show everyone

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that on a national stage.” After trailing the Spartans 6-3 at halftime – their only score coming on a 32-yard Blair Walsh field goal early in the contest – the Bulldogs awakened offensively in the second half and rode Stafford’s three touchdown passes to victory. Stafford found Michael Moore open down the middle on a 35-yard scoring toss and then threw identical 21-yard touchdown strikes to tight end Aron White and tailback Moreno to cap the Bulldogs’ 21-point second-half volley. The TD reception by Moore capped a sterling 10-play, 96-yard drive, and White’s scoring catch came on the heels of a 38-yard punt return by Prince Miller. What Worked Besides Stafford’s heroics, the Georgia defense was what worked best this football game. When the Bulldogs can limit a team to one touchdown and 12 total points, it’s usually going to result in a win …. considering the explosiveness of Georgia’s offense. The Bulldog “D” swarmed Ringer each time he touched the ball and stayed in State QB Hoyer’s face the day long, as evidenced by the six sacks. Also, much credit has to go to the Georgia coaching staff for keeping the team focused and motivated at the halftime break, after hardly anything went right for the Bulldogs over the first two quarters. Also, a tip of the hat to Georgia’s young offensive line for providing Stafford much better protection in the second half. What Didn’t Work The Bulldogs still had too many penalties, seven for 53 yards, lost a fumble, threw an interception and dropped a punt snap on fourth down that resulted in the Spartans gaining possession at the Georgia 39. And, admittedly, the Georgia offensive front had trouble handling the State defense in the running game. The Bulldogs rushed for only 81 net yards, and the Spartans limited Moreno to just 62 yards on 23 carries … just 2.7 yards per attempt. Top Performers With Michigan State clamping down on the Bulldogs’ two top receivers, A.J. Green and Mohamed Massaquoi – who showed only two combined catches – junior wideout Moore stepped up big with six receptions for 97 yards. Moreno, while checked on the ground, also had six catches for 63 yards. Kris Durham followed with three catches for 32 yards. Defensively, cornerback Asher Allen led with nine total tackles, Curran had six stops, and Georgia DB’s CJ Byrd and Prince Miller recorded five tackles each in the balanced effort. Senior tackle Jarius Wynn led the sack party with a pair while Allen, Dannell Ellerbe, Corvey Irvin, Demarcus Dobbs and Justin Houston were all credited with a full sack or shared sack. And senior punter Brian Mimbs overcame his dropped snap to average 49.2 on four kicks including a booming 62-yarder. On to New Horizons With Stafford foregoing his senior season at Georgia and Moreno bypassing his final two years of eligibility, Richt’s Bulldogs now look to new beginnings with the advent of National Signing Day on Feb. 4 and then spring practice in March, when rising senior Joe Cox will get his much-deserved chance at guiding the Bulldogs’ offense and when Richt and Willie Martinez will be attempting to keep the Georgia defense playing at the same level as it did against Michigan State.

Bulldawg Illustrated

Micah Paul Parkerson

Bulldog Born and Bred

Son of Julie & Don Parkerson Grandson of Marilyn & Dr. Parkerson

The Parkerson family became devout Georgia Bulldog fans during the early 1900s and have remained bonded to the Bulldog Nation ever since. They drove in their cars in the early 1900s on dirt roads at 40 miles per hour throughout Georgia and as far away as Texas and Oklahoma to see the games. One highly successful Parkerson businessPDQ KDG DV KLV JUHDWHVW WUHDVXUH D WLFNHW WR WKH Ă€UVW game ever in Sanford Stadium in 1929. He carried it everywhere even up into the 1980s for everyone to see. For many years, 12 Parkersons would load XS LQ D ELJ YDQ ORDGHG ZLWK WKH Ă€QHVW LQ WDLOJDWLQJ food, and head for Athens to make a day of it. It was a fantastic family time together and a weekly adventure that will never be forgotten. This trend continues today on a smaller scale of more cars and less people together in each vehicle. Four of those 12 people above were the direct ancestors of Micah Paul Parkerson. Sadie and Dr. Bartow Parkerson (lifelong Bulldogs), were two of Micah’s great grandparents and the other two were Mary and Dr. Roy Gore. Dr. Gore was an extension faculty member of UGA and sat with the UGA faculty at the games. All four of Micah’s grandparents have UGA connections. Marilyn and Dr. Don N. Parkerson (a former UGA letterman), both are UGA graduates and are the parents of Micah’s daddy, Dr. Don N. Parkerson, Jr. (also a UGA graduate). Micah’s other two grandparents are Paula and Lawrence Rogers (a Pharmacy graduate of UGA). Paula and Lawrence are the parents of Micah’s mother, Dr. Julie Rogers Parkerson, a PhD graduate of Mercer University who has also become a devout Bulldog fan. . Even before Micah was born, his grandmother Marilyn Gore Parkerson and his parents were preparing his bedroom to resemble that of a devout Bulldog in the making. This room looks fantastic and it includes red and black window treatments, a Bulldog crib skirt, a Bulldog quilt, Bulldog pillows, Bulldog pictures on the walls, and many other Bulldog items. Micah’s parents, Dr. Don Parkerson, Jr. and Dr. Julie Parkerson are raising two Georgia Bulldog children, Sadie Ivey Parkerson, age 2½ a future UGA grad in 2028 and Micah Paul Parkerson, age 5 months, a future UGA grad in 2030.

Julie and Don Parkerson with their daughter, Sadie and son, Micah

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Capital One Bowl - Georgia 24 Michigan State 12

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Bulldawg Illustrated

RECRUITING NEWS By Carlton DeVooght

Things heat up as Signing Day approaches National signing day is February 4, 2009. With less than one month to go, coaches are working feverishly to round out their class for 2009. Over the course of the past two years, the majority of Georgia’s signees were committed at least a couple of weeks before signing day. This year, the Bulldogs have received a total of 18 commitments, with the addition of Branden Smith and Montez Robinson. With the recent departures of Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno and Asher Allen to the NFL, it is believed that the Bulldogs may sign as many as 23 in the 2009 class. This leaves 5 spots for the coaches to fill over the next three weeks. Let’s take a look first at the two outstanding new commitments to the Bulldogs, and then I will make my predictions for the final 5 spots in the Bulldogs’ 2009 class. Branden Smith is the Bulldogs’ first 5 star commitments to the class of 2009. Smith is ranked as one of the top cornerbacks (5’11”/171 lbs, 4.4/40) in the country and is one of the top 30 overall players in the class of 2009. He is also ranked by many services as the top football player in the State of Georgia this year, as well as the most athletic and fastest cornerback in the country. During the Under Armor All-American game, Smith lined up against the best receiver on the field for the opposing team. This amazing athlete committed to the Bulldogs on January 4 during the fourth quarter of the Underarmor All-American Game. It was recently announced that Smith will be working out this spring with former bulldog great, Champ Bailey. Many recruiting analysts compare Smith and Bailey, which obviously speaks highly of Smith’s potential. Smith was a standout on both offense and defense for Washington High School out of Atlanta. He held offers from every major program in the country, but felt that the home state Bulldogs were the best for him. With the departure of Asher Allen, do not be surprised if Smith sees playing time next year. Montez Robinson is the Bulldogs’ most recent commitment. A former commitment to the Auburn Tigers/War Eagles/Plainsmen, Robinson committed to the Bulldogs on January 6. He is a strong side defensive end from Avon High School in Avon, Indiana. His frame will support some additional weight (6’5”, 235 lbs), and his speed (4.59/40) is something that was desperately lacking for the Bulldogs this year. This four star prospect is ranked as one of the top ten strong side defensive ends in the country, and really appreciates what Coach Martinez, Coach Fabris, and Coach Garner are trying to develop on the Bulldogs’ defensive line. Although the coaches have been in contact with Robinson for quite some time, he has flown under the radar of most Bulldog fans because he was committed to Auburn. With the coaching change on the Plains, the Bulldog coaches turned up the heat on this Indiana native and he evidently liked what he saw. He and Toby Jackson will be imposing bookends on the Bulldog defensive line. Three Commitments already enrolled Quarterbacks Zach Mettenberger and Aaron Murray and offensive linemen Dallas Lee enrolled early this January at the University of Georgia. Those Bulldog signees that enroll early have a history of early playing time. Remember how quickly Matthew Stafford and several of the offensive linemen have earned playing time after enrolling early with the Bulldogs. Lee will be one of 15 scholarship offensive linemen competing for the starting 5 positions this spring. With the departure of Matthew Stafford, it is likely that only one of the fabulous freshman quarterbacks will redshirt this year. The other will need to the available in case something happens on the depth chart. Enrolling early will help prepare all three of these signees in their career with the Bulldogs. And the Rest of the Class? The Bulldogs have 18 outstanding commitments for their 2009 class. Unofficial reports indicate that they may sign as many as 23 athletes in this class. If that number is correct, I believe the final five for those slots will be filled by Greg Reid, Mar-

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lon Brown, Orson Charles, Bobby Massie and Kwame Geathers. At this time, it does not look like Jarvis Jackson is going to select the home state Bulldogs, but he may be a signing day surprise. I believe he will sign with either his lifelong favorite, Florida Gators or the Texas Longhorns. If Jones does change his mind, then the Bulldogs will likely sign either Massey or Gathers. Bulldog fans are familiar with the names of Marlon Brown, Orson Charles and Bobby Massie, as the Bulldogs have been involved in recruiting these three young men for quite sometime. Bobby Massie is the massive offensive tackle from Hargrave Prep. It appears that the Bulldogs, Alabama and North Carolina are competing for this young mans signature. He is the number one ranked prep player in the country and would compete right away for a starting position at tackled for the Bulldogs. Marlon Brown is a standout wide receiver from Memphis, Tennessee. Brown had a great game in the Under Armor AllStar Game, where he scored on a slant route off his team’s first offensive play in the scrimmage. Recruiting analysts have felt that Brown has been a Bulldog lean for quite some time. The in-state Volunteers under new head coach Lane Kipkin had turned up the heat, calling Marlon Brown the most important recruit in this class for the Vols. I still think he signs with the Bulldogs, as he has commented on how great it would be to line up opposite AJ Green. Orson Charles is Aaron Murray’s high school teammate and the top ranked tight end in the country. If Charles signs with the Bulldogs, it is likely that he will play a number of positions, including wide receiver and H back. Recently the in state Seminoles have a made a big push for Charles’ signature. If either Marlon Brown or Orson Charles does not sign with the Bulldogs, look for Cameron Kinney, a junior college standout from Garden City Community College in Kansas as a possible wide receiver. Although he is a soft commitment to Auburn, he is visiting the Bulldogs on the weekend of January 23rd. The other two names on my list are somewhat new. Until a few weeks ago, Greg Reid, from Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia was committed to the Florida Gators. Prior to playing in the Georgia North-South All-Star Game and the Under Armor All-American Game, Reid de-committed from the Gators and opened up his recruiting period. At the time, he has been busy earning two MVP awards in the two All-Star Games and recently being listed as a five star prospect. Reid says he is still interested in Florida, but is interested in what the home state Bulldogs have to offer. Other Bulldog commitments, like his teammate Mike Gilliard and Branden Smith and many, many others have really worked on Reid. The home state Bulldogs will get his last visit, the weekend just prior to signing day. Watch for the Bulldogs to put the full court press on this phenomenal athlete and earn his signature on February 4. Reid and Smith could be the most dominant pair of corners to ever don the Red and Black. Kwame Geathers is the younger little brother of former Bulldog Robert and current South Carolina player Clifton Perry. Geathers is listed as an offensive tackle (6’6”/220 lbs, 5.0/40), but his future may lie on the defensive line. At the Offense-Defense All-American game in Myrtle Beach, Geathers dominated on the defensive line. The highlights from the game show that he was virtually un-blockable by the offensive linemen participating in the game blowing through double teams with ease. Like his brothers, it is likely that Kwame will not sign on signing day, but may wait to sign until a few days later. If the Bulldogs have room and he wishes to sign with the Bulldogs, Geathers could be a dominating force for the Dawgs at either offensive or defensive tackle. There are a number of other names that are floating out there as possible commitments to the Bulldogs. The five names listed above are my best guess as to who will round out this year’s class. February 4 will be here soon and the Bulldog Illustrated will have a complete review of the whole 2009 Bulldog class of recruits.

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By Jeff Dantzler BULLDAWG ILLUSTRATED Georgia – 45 Ga. Southern – 21 It was a costly win for the Bulldogs, who lost stalwart nose guard Jeff Owens to a season-ending knee injury. Prior to the season, Georgia lost left tackle Trinton Sturdivant, a freshman All-American in 2007, to a knee injury. So before a full half of football could be completed in 2008, Georgia was without its best offensive lineman and one of its two best defensive linemen. The game was dominated by the Bulldogs, who raced to a 38-0 third quarter lead. Highly touted freshman A.J. Green had an impressive debut, pulling in a 36-yard aerial to set up Georgia’s first touchdown. Under Mark Richt’s watch, the Dogs improved to 8-0 in season openers, and the topping of the Eagles marked Georgia’s 12th straight 1-0 start. The Bulldogs went into the game ranked No. 1 nationally, but Southern Cal’s blowout of Virginia moved the Trojans past Georgia in the polls. Georgia – 56 Central Michigan – 17 Georgia dominated the defending Mid American Conference champion behind a superb offensive effort. Star Chippewas quarterback Dan LeFevour was effective, but the Bulldogs had too much firepower. Knowshon Moreno went over the 100-yard mark and sported a highlight reel leap over a Central Michigan defender. The point total was Georgia’s most since a 56-3 season-opening win over Kent State in 1998. The last time the Bulldogs scored more than 56 was in a 70-6 rout of Northeast Louisiana (now Louisiana-Monroe) in 1994. Georgia again fell in the rankings to No. 2 despite the 2-0 start. The grind of the season would begin the following week in Columbia. Georgia – 14 South Carolina – 7 As is almost always the case, the Bulldogs and Gamecocks played a tight affair, with Georgia having to come back, hang on and hold off fired up South Carolina. The Gamecocks had a 7-3 first half lead. Georgia was on the South Carolina one yard line late in the second quarter, but a red zone malfunction kept the Bulldogs out of the end zone and the Bulldogs had to settle for three. A Matthew Stafford strike to Green set up Georgia’s lone touchdown, as Knowshon Moreno knifed his way in through traffic. On a nice two-point play, Stafford hit Kris Durham to put the Bulldogs up by seven. Georgia’s defense and kicking game would save the day. South Carolina was driving for the tying score inside the Georgia five early in the fourth quarter when Rennie Curran caused a fumble recovered in the end zone by Asher Allen. Curran had an incredible day and was named the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Week. Brian Mimbs booted punts of 61 and 77 yards to swing the field position in Georgia’s favor. South Carolina was threatening in the closing seconds, but Reshad Jones came up with the game-saving interception and the Bulldogs prevailed in a typically tough Columbia nail-biter. Georgia – 27 Arizona State – 10 Playing a PAC-10 opponent on the road for the first time since 1960 when Southern Cal beat the Bulldogs 10-3 at the L.A. Coliseum, the Bulldogs overcame a slew of questionable calls to dominate the Sun Devils behind splendid performances from Moreno, Green, Stafford and a gritty defense. A Reggie Bush-esque flying touchdown from Moreno put the Bulldogs on the board first. Arizona State had no match for the magnificent Green, who had seven catches for 150 yards in the first half. He wound up with eight for 159, while Moreno ran for 149 and Stafford threw for a career high 285. It was a great win for Georgia and then a long plane flight home. The Bulldogs arrived in Athens around 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Alabama had pounded Arkansas in the 12:30 game at Fayetteville and the Crimson Tide was back in Tuscaloosa for kickoff of the Bulldogs and Sun Devils. Alabama – 41 Georgia – 30 On the opening drive of the game, Alabama marched deep into Georgia territory and the Bulldogs recovered a fumble. A flag negated the play. Bama scored and the blitzkrieg was on. In Georgia’s worst half of football since Richt’s arrival, the Bulldogs played poorly, the Crimson Tide played great, and all of the bounces went Bama’s way. At intermission, the Tide led 31-0. Sanford Stadium was stunned. Georgia showed a lot of fight in the second half making the score much more respectable, but Alabama always had at least a two score margin. The schedule had set up great for Nick Saban’s team and they capitalized. Georgia was humiliated for 30 minutes and the preseason No. 1 team humbled nationally. The victor would soon ascend to No. 1 in the polls and hold that spot until the SEC Championship Game. Georgia -26 Tennessee – 14 Any time Georgia beats Tennessee, it’s a big deal. But this one was much closer than it should have been. A dropped touchdown, and interceptions inside the red zone with Georgia throwing out of empty backfield formations leading by 13 that led to the Volunteers two scores kept Tennessee in the game. Blair Walsh booted four field goals and the Dogs bested the Vols in Sanford Stadium for the first time since 2002. For a program that had lost nine straight to Tennessee, the win marked Georgia’s sixth of the 2000’s in nine meetings with the Vols. What could have been somewhere around a 30-point win required a lot of gas out of Georgia’s tank. Georgia – 24 Vanderbilt – 14 Again the Bulldogs had to expend a lot of gas in a game that should not have been this close. Georgia raced to a 14-0 lead, but was victimized by a horrendous pass interference call that helped Vanderbilt to its first touchdown. Georgia built another 14-point lead, but an interception set up the Commodores second touchdown. As the injuries continued to mount for Georgia, it was clear that the Bulldogs had little margin for error. Walsh, who had been tremendous throughout the season, missed a pair of field goals and the Commodores were able to hang around. In the final minute, Walsh connected to put the game away and give the Bulldogs the final margin of victory.

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Georgia – 52 LSU – 38 It was the high point of the season, as Georgia topped the defending national champions before a raucous Baton Rouge crowd. The Bulldogs had history on their side, having beating LSU at Tiger Stadium in 1948, 1978 and 1998. Georgia also has a grand history of beating defending national champions, including a 2007 win over ’06 kingpin Florida and an ’04 victory over the ’03 champion Bayou Bengals. Darryl Gamble set the tone with an interception return for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Stepping in for an injured Dannell Ellerbe, who went down in the loss to Bama, Gamble was the star of the day. Stafford, Moreno and Green all shined with long touchdown plays, then Gamble, who also recorded a team high 13 tackles, put the game away with a second interception return for a score. The Dogs took down the 2007 national champions in a physical emotional affair that kicked at 3:30. Florida, the 2006 national champions, kicked off in Gainesville at 12:30 with Kentucky and it was over when it started. The Gators completely dismantled the Wildcats 63-5. It didn’t take long for their focus and energy to turn towards Jacksonville. Florida – 49 Georgia – 10 In what has become a familiar theme in Georgia’s unbelievable string of struggles on the banks of the St. John’s, the Bulldogs faltered in the red zone and the missed touchdown opportunities were compounded by missed field goals. In a game that the Dogs could have led at the half, Georgia trailed 14-3. Then in another common theme, Florida delivered the knockout blow with an enormous turnover, this one an 86-yard interception return by Joe Haden inside the Georgia two. The Dogs were on the move, right in the thick of everything, and then it was gone. The life had been completely knocked out of Georgia. More touchdowns and turnovers would come, and when it was all over, there was another ugly score in Jacksonville. SEC and national championship dreams were dashed. The Dogs wouldn’t have the same bounce in their steps the rest of the way. Georgia – 42 Kentucky – 38 In another one that was way closer than it should have been, Georgia overcame a porous special teams performance, critical turnovers and the dangerous running of Kentucky quarterback Randall Cobb to take a knee-knocking Bluegrass thriller. Chief amongst Georgia’s problems was the kicking game. The Wildcats blocked a punt to set up a touchdown and returned a kickoff 96 yards to set up a touchdown. The Bulldogs had a 12-yard punt that set up a Kentucky touchdown after an ill-fated punt return decision put Georgia on its two-yard line to start a drive. But Georgia prevailed. Stafford connected with Green for the spectacular go-ahead touchdown in the closing minutes and Demarcus Dobbs sealed the win with a one-pawed interception deep in Bulldog territory. Moreno was magnificent and Mohammed Massaquoi over two fumbles with the big play to set up the goahead touchdown. Georgia’s defense came up with stops following those two fumbles, keeping the deficit at three. Georgia – 17 Auburn – 13 For the first time since the Herschel Walker era from 1980-82, Georgia beat Auburn for a third consecutive season. With the Tigers driving in the final minute, the Bulldogs defense came up with the big stop to hold on for the victory. Crippled by injuries, which had clearly trickled down to the special teams, Georgia again struggled to put away an inferior foe. The kicking game was again poor. But Moreno ran big and Stafford hit the key passes. Even though Tennessee and Auburn both were an expected 5-7 and LSU dropped to 8-5, it is still significant to note that the 2008 season marked the first time Georgia beat the Vols and both sets of SEC Tigers in the same season. Tech – 45 Georgia – 42 Leading 28-12 at the half, the Bulldogs had the golden opportunity to make more history and post an eighth straight victory over the Yellow Jackets to match the infamous drought from 1949-56 when Tech won eight straight. But the wheels came off in a disastrous third quarter. Tech outscored the Bulldogs 26-0 in the period, grabbed control of the game and didn’t let go. Tech had rings and a victory billboard made signifying the victory. The loss for Georgia… devastating. Five quarters of football separated the Bulldogs from a special season. In the first half against Alabama, the second half with Florida, and third quarter vs. Tech, the Bulldogs were outscored by an astounding cumulative score of 92-7. Georgia – 24 Michigan State – 12 Spurred by a superb defensive effort that kept the Bulldogs from falling further behind, Georgia’s offense finally came to life in the second half. Stafford hit Mike Moore late in the third quarter for a touchdown and the Bulldogs took the lead for good. Georgia put the game away on Stafford’s third TD toss, which was hauled in by Moreno with a nifty grab. The win came on the 20th anniversary of the schools’ only other meeting. In Vince Dooley’s final game as Georgia’s head coach, the Bulldogs beat the Spartans 34-27 in the Gator Bowl on January 1, 1989. The lofty expectations of being the nation’s No. 1 team in preseason, an awful rash of injuries, and five head-scratching quarters gave the 2008 season a disappointing taste. But at 10-3 with a No. 10 ranking in the final coaches poll, Georgia’s disappointment was substantially less than it was in Knoxville, Auburn and Ann Arbor.

Bulldawg Illustrated

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MEN’S BASKETBALL in ATHENS Sat, Jan 24 Wed, Feb 04 Sat, Feb 14 Wed, Feb 18 Wed, Feb 25 Sat, Mar 07

Mississippi State LSU Florida Auburn Vanderbilt South Carolina

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EQUESTRIAN in ATHENS Sat, Feb 28 Fri, Mar 27

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Southern Equestrian Championships Fri, Apr 03 TBA 2:00 p.m. Sat, Apr 04 TBA 10:00 a.m.

WOMEN’S TENNIS in ATHENS Thu, Jan 22 Memphis Sat, Jan 24 Furman ITA Indoor Kickoff Weekend Sun, Feb 01 TBA Mon, Feb 02 TBA Sat, Feb 28 Baylor

5:00 p.m. 12:00p.m. TBA TBA 12:00 p.m.

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By: Murray Poole When the Georgia Bulldogs dispatched Michigan State in the Jan. 1 CapBy Murray Poole ital One Bowl, it put the cap on King Football until National Signing Day Feb. 4 BULLDAWG ILLUSTRATED and then the Bulldogs’ spring practice in March. That is, except for the announcementWhen of Georgia underclassmen Matthew Stafford, and Asher the Georgia Bulldogs dispatched MichiganKnowshon State in theMoreno Jan. 1 Capital Allen’s intentions to declare for the 2009 NFL One Bowl, it put the cap on King Football until Draft. National Signing Day Feb. 4 and hey, Dawg there’s a plethora of other athletic prothen theBut Bulldogs’ springfans, practice in March. That is, exceptexcellent for the announcement of Georgia underclassmen Stafford, Knowshon and Asher Allen’ grams taking place at theMatthew University of Georgia theseMoreno cold winter months ‌s intentions to declare for the 2009 NFL Draft. Bulldog teams that have achieved unparalleled success in their particular sport hey, heavily Dawg fans, there’ s a plethora of doing other excellent athletic programs and But depend on your support to keep so. taking place at the University of Georgia winter ‌ teams Bulldogas And you can be assured that the these head cold coaches of months such UGA teams that have achieved unparalleled success in their particular sport and deJ\PQDVWLFV WHQQLV EDVNHWEDOO VZLPPLQJ DQG GLYLQJ DQG WUDFN DQG Ă€HOG DUH FRJpend heavily on your support to keep doing so. nizant of what tremendous backing from the Bulldog fans means to their players. And“That’s you cana be assured thatby,â€? the said headGeorgia coaches Gym of such UGA teams as gymtheory we live Dogs coach Suzanne nastics, tennis, basketball, swimming and diving and track and field are cogYoculan, team has just kicked offthe theBulldog 2009 season and to is shooting for a nizant of whose what tremendous backing from fans means their players. UHPDUNDEOH Ă€IWK FRQVHFXWLYH QDWLRQDO FKDPSLRQVKLS ² DQG WK RYHUDOO ² LQ WKLV “That’s a theory we live by,â€? said Georgia Gym Dogs coach Suzanne Yoculan, <RFXODQŇ‹V Ă€QDO \HDU DW WKH 8*$ KHOP ´:H SXW PRUH WLPH LQWR RXU UHODWLRQVKLS whose team has just kicked off the 2009 season and is shooting for a remarkable with fans thannational anything else we do. We know there’s to them ands our fifth our consecutive championship – and 10th overalla value – in this, Yoculan’ team is so invested in our fans, they don’t want to let them down and that’s why final year at the UGA helm. “We put more time into our relationship with our fans they themselves to the than push anything else we do. We limits know they there’do.â€? s a value to them and our team is so inGym want Dogsto sluggishly opener vested inYoculan, our fans,whose they don’t let them won downtheir andseason that’s why they against push themselves to and the limits they do.â€? West Virginia rebounded nicely with a big victory at LSU in their second Yoculan, whose Gym Dogs sluggishly their against West contest, recalled when Georgia captured won one of its season nationalopener crowns at UCLA. Virginiawere and rebounded nicely with a big victory at LSU their second contest, “There more fans waiting for us when we got backinhome than there were at recalled when Georgia captured one ofwhy its national at UCLA. “There were the nationals,â€? she said. “And that’s I came tocrowns Georgia. Our team gets up for more fansaswaiting foras us for when got back home there were the nationthe fans much so ourwe opponents. Whenthan we started the at program here, als,â€?made she said. that’networked s why I came to Georgia. getsholding up for exhibitions the fans we sure“And that we personally withOur the team fans by as much so as for our opponents. When we started the program here, we for them and hanging posters around town ‌ things like that. It’s not justmade about sure thatattendance we networked theYoculan, fans by holding exhibitions for them building andpersonally interest,â€? with added “but about having people talk and hanging posters around town ‌ things like that. It’s not just about building to you eye-to-eye. attendance and interest,â€? added Yoculan, “but about having people talk to you “We learned (about great fan support) back in 2005 when we had four eye-to-eye. losses in a row. The fans hung there with us,inand wewhen came “We learned (about great faninsupport) back 2005 weback had and four won lossesthe national believe in what in a row.title. TheOur fansfans hung in there with we us, do.â€? and we came back and won the naManny head coach of we Georgia’s tional title. Our Diaz, fans believe in what do.â€? two-time defending national champion Manny men’s Diaz, tennishead team, saidofthe SEC,sand the Bulldogs’ fannational turnoutchampion in particular, coach Georgia’ two-time defending “are bestteam, crowds inthe theSEC, nation. men’the s tennis said and the Bulldogs’ fan turnout in particular, “are the best “It’s crowds in the nation. a tremendous boost to the atmosphere and team morale and plays s a in tremendous boost to the atmosphere teamthings morale a big a big“It’ part home-court advantage in the SECand where areand so plays competitive,â€? part in home-court advantage in the SEC where things are so competitive,â€? Diaz Diaz said. said. Still, the Georgia coach says the Bulldog tennis program could always Still, the Georgia coach says the Bulldog tennis program could always use use more folks in the stands at Henry Feild Stadium at the Dan Magill Tennis more folks‌inespecially the standsfor at the Henry Feildseason Stadium at the Dan “One Magillthing Tennis ComComplex regular dual meets. here is that plexdon’t ‌ especially the any regular season dual meets. “One thing here isbasis that we we have the for luxury more of hosting the NCAAs on a yearly ‌ as don’t have the luxury any more of hosting the NCAAs on a yearly basis ‌ as far far as continuity goes,â€? Diaz said. “There’s so many different sports going on, and as continuity goes,â€? Diaz said. “There’s so many different sports going on, and we we don’t much publicity in the daily media. We’re getting in front justjust don’t get get thatthat much publicity in the daily media. We’re notnot getting in front of regular basis basislike likewe weused usedtotoand andit’it’s really hurtusus a sport. of people people on on aa regular s really hurt asas a sport. WeWe GRQŇ‹W JHW WKH SURĂ€OHV WKDW EDVNHWEDOO DQG J\PQDVWLFV GR DQG FRQVHTXHQWO\ RXU don’t get the profiles that basketball and gymnastics do and consequently, our regular seasonattendance attendance suffered. in strongest the strongest and deepest regular season hashas suffered. We We playplay in the and deepest conconference in the nation tremendous tennis during the regular seaference in the nation andand youyou see see tremendous tennis during the regular season son lotpeople of people don’t know about said Diaz, whose third-ranked Bullbut, but, a lota of don’t know about it,â€?it,â€? said Diaz, whose third-ranked Bulldogs openedtheir theirwinter/spring winter/springseason season this past weekend in the Coaches dogs opened this past weekend in the SECSEC Coaches Indoor Championships ininLexington, Ky.Ky. Indoor Championships Lexington, AlsoAlso welcoming in the season this past in theinGeorgia Invita-Inwelcoming in new the new season this weekend past weekend the Georgia tional waswas Jeff Jeff Wallace’ s ultra-successful Georgia women’women’s s tennis team. Bull-The vitational Wallace’s ultra-successful Georgia tennisThe team. dog ladylady netters willwill be be chasing a third consecutive SECSEC Tournament title title this this Bulldog netters chasing a third consecutive Tournament winter and spring. winter and spring. Yoculan and and DiazDiaz are surely echoing Georgia’ s other other winterwinter sportssports coaches Yoculan are surely echoing Georgia’s when it comes the importance of outstanding fan support.fan In basketball, coaches whento it comes to the importance of outstanding support. InCoach basketDennis Felton appreciates fan support as his young team plays continues to playball, Coach Dennis Felton’s young UGA men’s team surely would appreciate hard each game. And Andy Landers’ Lady Bulldogs, likewise, value their fans in-fan VXSSRUW EHFDXVH GHVSLWH KDUG HIIRUW ZLQV DUH KDUG WR Ă€QG WKLV VHDVRQ $QG $QG\ volvement after an up-and-down start this season. As the Georgia women Landers’ Bulldogs, likewise, their fans involvement after an up-andcontinue Lady to strive for a deep run in value the 2009 NCAAs, UGA coaching legend Landown start this season. As the Georgia continue to strive for a deep run ders reached another milestone when thewomen Lady Bulldogs defeated Savannah State in the 2009 NCAAs, UGA coaching legend Landers reached another milestone and made Landers just the fifth major college women’s basketball coach to record when the Lady Bulldogs defeated Savannah State and made Landers just the 800 victories. Ă€IWK PDMRU FROOHJH ZRPHQŇ‹V EDVNHWEDOO FRDFK WR UHFRUG YLFWRULHV In the pool, Georgia’s renowned swimming and diving teams are gearing up n the pool, Georgia’s renowned teams are gearing for the SEC and NCAA meets in Februaryswimming and Marchand afterdiving recently hosting their final dualand meet of themeets seasonin against visiting Texas. after Ranked No. 1hosting in the up forhome the SEC NCAA February and March recently land, the Lady Bulldogs of head coach Jack Bauerle ran their record to 6-0 by WKHLU Ă€QDO KRPH GXDO PHHW RI WKH VHDVRQ DJDLQVW YLVLWLQJ 7H[DV 5DQNHG 1R LQ defeating theLady No. 3Bulldogs Longhorns, 159-141. extended theirrecord home to dual the land, the of head coachThat Jackwin Bauerle ran their 6-0 meet winningthe streak toLonghorns, an amazing 159-141. 65 consecutive victories. Going by defeating No. 3 That win extended theiragainst home the dual No. 1-ranked s 11th-ranked Georgia men’s team fell by meet winning Longhorns, streak to anBauerle’ amazing 65 consecutive victories. Going(3-3) against the 169-126. No. 1-ranked Longhorns, Bauerle’s 11th-ranked Georgia men’s team (3-3) fell by So, in case you haven’t noticed, there’s truly outstanding athletic teams com169-126. peting for championships in these cold days of winter at the University of Georin case you fan haven’t noticed, there’s truly athletic teams gia, and So, ever-increasing support will only serve to outstanding make these Bulldogs and competing for championships in these cold days of winter at the University of Lady Bulldogs even better. Georgia, and ever-increasing fan support will only serve to make these Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs even better.

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TRIVIA CONTEST

Chris Porter of Atlanta, GA

Q: Other than Herschel, who is your favorite Bulldog and why? A: David Green - I just always enjoyed watching him play. He had such a smooth

passing motion and never got enough credit for how much of a leader and great player he was. Q: Who is your favorite player on the current UGA roster and why? A: AJ Green - He is a stud; nothing more to say. Q: What makes you a true Bulldog? A: I feel like a true Bulldawg when I feel the pride and energy anytime I see the

Last issue’s TRIVIA question and answer:

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of the endzone and taking a knee on the 1 yard line instead of the endzone.

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FANS OF THE WEEK

AND THE WINNER IS... Fred Chiverton of Atlanta, GA

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Sara Roecker of Atlanta, GA

This issue’s question:

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Got the answer? Go to www.bulldawgillustrated.com in the FAN ZONE and post your answer for a chance to win a copy of Herschel Walker’s new book,

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14

Bulldawg Illustrated

Jeff Dantzler’s Top 25 As was predicted at the season’s open, the heavyweights of college football flexed their muscles in 2009. Florida won the national championship for the second time in three years, though there were lobbies from USC, Texas and Utah for the A.P. crown. The Big Ten (11) and Big XII did not have good bowl showings, while the SEC went 6-2 and the PAC-10 was undefeated in the postseason. Utah may have opened the door for a non BCS program to get a shot at the national title with a strong enough schedule and undefeated campaign. The SEC still reigns supreme, with a third BCS Championship in a row and fourth in six years. Not since the SEC won three straight national titles with Bama, Bama and Georgia from 1978-80 has a conference accomplished the feat.

— Jeff Dantzler 1. Florida – The Gators are the envy of college athletics with a second national title in three years, to go along with those back-to-back basketball crowns. To top everything off, Joe College Superstar Tim Tebow will be back for his senior season aiming for a third national title and second Heisman Trophy. 2. Southern Cal – The Trojans again flirted with the national title. Southern Cal won the PAC-10 and finished in the top five for a seventh straight season. Pete Carroll has no peer west of Austin. The Trojans were the only team that could have beaten Florida on January 8. 3. Texas – It was another great season for the Longhorns, who took an instant classic from Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. Colt McCoy will return for his senior season and the Longhorns figure to again be in the mix for the national title. Texas moved past Notre Dame for the second most wins in college football history. 4. Utah – For the second time in the past five seasons, the Utes went undefeated and won a BCS game. But this season was the tops, as Utah played a much tougher schedule and then dismantled royal Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. 5. Oklahoma – For the fourth time in the past nine years, Bob Stoops had the Sooners playing for the national title. But the Gators had too much juice in every area. Oklahoma moved past Michigan to the No. 1 spot in the all-time Associated Press Poll. Sam Bradford and the Sooners put together an incredible offensive regular season. 6. Alabama – Racing to a 12-0 regular season, Alabama suffered a disappointing end to the campaign, twice missing out on all-time win No. 800 with SEC Championship Game and Sugar Bowl losses to Florida and Utah. 7. Texas Christian – The Horned Frogs only losses came to Oklahoma and Utah. Gary Patterson racks up ten win seasons like Brown, Carroll, Stoops, Meyer and Richt. The purple has been rocking at Joe Garcia’s and Dan Jenkins is smiling big. 8. Penn State – The Nittany Lions were smoked in the Rose Bowl, but it was a great year for Joe Paterno, who led Penn State to its second Big Ten (11) championship in the last four years. Can Penn State follow it up this time with another strong year? 9. Boise State – The Broncos record in the 2000’s has been incredible and they are amazing on the blue turf. Boise State’s lone blemish was a one-point San Diego setback to TCU. It is too bad, the Broncos aren’t in the Mountain West with TCU, Utah and BYU. 10. Ohio State – Even though they came up short, Ohio State gained back a matter of respect with its Fiesta Bowl performance against Texas. The Buckeyes will be the favorites to win the Big Ten (11) in 2009. 11. Texas Tech – What began as a 10-0 season ended with a pair of embarrassing losses to Oklahoma and Ole Miss sandwiched around a squeaker win over Baylor. The win over Texas was the highlight of the Red Raiders first ever 11-win campaign. 12. Oregon – The Ducks closed exceptionally strong with a beatdown of arch rival Oregon State – costing the Beavers the Rose Bowl – and impressive handling of Oklahoma State in San Diego. Oregon has again made its case as the second best program in the PAC-10. 13. Ole Miss – The Rebels made history by beating each of the last two national champions on the road. Hottie Toddy! They added to the wins over Florida and LSU, with signature victories over Auburn and Mississippi State, then followed everything up with a Cotton Bowl pounding of Texas Tech.

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14. Georgia Tech – Giddy from their first win over Georgia since 2000, the Yellow Jackets were embarrassed by LSU in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. A couple of near misses kept Tech out of the ACC Championship Game, but the Yellow Jackets will be favored to win the league and beat Georgia again in 2009 with Johnathan Dwyer and Morgan Burnett leading a talented group of returnees. 15. Georgia – An incredible rash of injuries and five disastrous quarters kept the Bulldogs from a special season. It says a lot for Georgia though, that a 10-3 record constitutes a disappointment. The biggest shoes to fill for the Bulldogs in 2009 will be those of Knowshon Moreno, arguably the best tailback in the country. 16. Virginia Tech - The Hokies overcame a disappointing start and finished strong, winning the ACC Championship and then delivering the conference a much needed BCS victory over Cincinnati in one of the least attractive Orange Bowls ever. 17. Oregon State – Florida will always have a special place in its heart for the Beavers, who handed Southern Cal its lone loss of the season. Oregon State got smoked by the Ducks in the regular season finale, which cost the Beavers a berth in Pasadena. 18. Oklahoma State – The Cowboys defense struggled against both Oklahoma and Oregon, as Mike Gundy’s boys lost their last two. But Oklahoma State was a big surprise and the Cowboys are already thinking about the Bulldogs and the season opener. 19. Cincinnati – Brian Kelly has built Cincinnati into the second best program in the state of Ohio. Winning the Big East championship and playing in the Orange Bowl were accomplishments the Bearcats wouldn’t have dreamed of ten years ago. 20. Iowa - Florida will always have a special place in its heart for the Hawkeyes, who handed Penn State its lone regular season loss. Kirk Ferentz has the SEC’s number in Florida come January. South Carolina joins the Gators and LSU on Iowa’s Bowl hit list of the 2000’s. 21. Florida State – The Seminoles are showing signs that they are on the way back. Things haven’t been the same since Mark Richt and Dave Van Hallenger left for Athens. But the ‘Noles raised some eyebrows with their waxing of Wisconsin in Orlando. 22. Missouri – The Tigers made it look so easy in the first few weeks of the season, but the creampuff schedule came back to bite them when the heat got turned up. Missouri was fortunate to knock off gritty Northwestern in the Alamo Bowl. The Tigers have been the class of the Big XII North, but they must now retool. 23. Brigham Young – The Cougars had another good season, but the manner and deficits by which they lost has to be worrisome. The top of the Mountain West is awfully strong, but Utah and TCU outclassed BYU in 2008. 24. West Virginia – In one of the best bowls of the season, the Mountaineers took down North Carolina in Charlotte. Pat White ended his career by becoming the first quarterback to start and win four bowl games. That included BCS victories over royal heavyweights Georgia and Oklahoma. 25. LSU – A disappointing season was salvaged somewhat with a blowout of Ga. Tech in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. Losing to Florida, Georgia and Bama was one thing. But getting blown out by Ole Miss and then upset at home by Arkansas left a disappointing taste for the defending national champions. But the Atlanta rout has the Tigers beaming again.

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15

JD’s All SEC Team By Jeff Dantzler BULLDAWG ILLUSTRATED

Defense (a nickel package) Offense

QB – Tim Tebow, Florida - An all-time rock star hero, Tebow is one of the greatest players ever. With two national championships and a Heisman Trophy already on his resume, he’s the best quarterback in SEC annals and will rival Herschel Walker as the premier player in the history of college football. RB – Knowshon Moreno, Georgia – Walker is the only other Bulldog with multiple 1,000-yard plus rushing seasons in Bulldog annals. In two seasons, Moreno showcased a dazzling repertoire of moves and skill emerging as one of the nation’s best tailbacks. RB – Glen Coffee, Alabama – Operating behind an outstanding offensive line, Coffee in 2008 went from part-time back-up to big play Bama star. Coffee left behind Smith was a vital component of Alabama’s run to a perfect regular season. WR – Percy Harvin, Florida – While Tebow is a brilliant passer and runner, Harvin is an electric runner and receiver. They’ve formed one of the best one-two punches ever in college football. Harvin was the SEC’s most dangerous offensive player. WR – A.J. Green, Georgia – He and fellow freshman Julio Jones both wear No. 8 and enjoyed tremendous freshman seasons. Green is the most talented receiver to ever wear the red and black and is a threat to strike pay-dirt any time the ball in his hands. TE – Jared Cook, South Carolina – A dominating presence and South Carolina’s most dangerous offensive threat, Cook controls the middle of the field with great hands and a big body. This is one that got away from the Dawgs. He’ll be a longtime pro. OL – Andre Smith, Alabama – Joining John Hannah and Dwight Stephenson as one of the greatest linemen in Bama history, Smith is the best tackle in the country and the top prospect for April’s draft. He, Tebow and Eric Berry were the league’s three best players in ’08. OL – Michael Oher, Ole Miss – The SEC’s and nation’s second best tackle, Oher is a great pass blocker with tremendous upside on the next level. He’s been the anchor for Ole Miss’s resurgence and an ultimate protector for Jevan Snead. OL – Herman Johnson, LSU – The biggest baby ever born in Louisiana (18 pounds and 3 ounces), Johnson blossomed into one of college football’s best guards over the last two years. He’s an absolute beast clearing out the middle for Charles Scott on the run. OL – Phil Trautwein, Florida – The Gators offensive line was one of the nation’s best in 2008, and Trautwein was the anchor at left tackle. Tebow, Harvin, Brandon James and Jeff Demps get the glory, but the Gators big uglies set the tone in the trenches. C – Maurkice Pouncey, Florida – He and twin brother Mike clear out the middle of the line for Tebow and the big play Florida running game. Once the line came together at midseason, the Gators flourished and couldn’t be stopped.

16

DE – Jermaine Cunningham, Florida – A tremendous pass-rusher, Cunningham was one of the most important components of the fierce Florida defense. He and Carlos Dunlap formed arguably the best defensive end duo in the country. DT - Peria Jerry, Ole Miss – Often unblockable, Jerry was one of the nation’s best interior defensive linemen and is a first rounder come April. Jerry is Ole Miss’s best defensive player since the incredible Patrick Willis. NT – Terrance Cody, Alabama – The mountain in the middle was too much for most of the SEC to handle. Whether it was stuffing the run or controlling the middle against the pass, Cody tied up the middle and freed up the fleet Bama defense to flourish. LB – Rolando McClain, Alabama – One of the nation’s best ‘backers, McClain can do it all and he was just a sophomore. A run-stuffer supreme and standout in the passing game, McClain is an intimidator who brings the big hits. LB – Brandon Spikes, Florida – Another do-everything play-maker, Spikes stuffed the run as good as anyone and came up with critical turnovers, like the interception run-back for a touchdown in the Gators rout of LSU. LB – Rennie Curran, Georgia – The overachieving tackle machine was Georgia’s best defender in 2008 and will be the unit’s leader in ’09. His stellar play was critical in Georgia’s two biggest wins at South Carolina and LSU. CB – D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt – Certain to be Vanderbilt’s third first round pick in the last four drafts, Moore is an electric play-maker in the secondary, return game and spot offensive duty. Moore is a shutdown corner who is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. CB – Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina – One of the most underrated players in college football, Munnerlyn is outstanding in coverage, a big hitter and stellar in the kicking game. He’ll be a steal in the draft. CB – Joe Haden, Florida – One of those big play makers for the Gators, he had one of the biggest of the season on the 86-yard runback that buried Georgia and turned Jacksonville into a one-sided affair. He was one of 10 Florida defensive starters who was not a senior. S – Eric Berry, Tennessee – The best defensive player in college football, Berry is incredible. He may be even better than Ed Reed when it comes to scoring defensive touchdowns. By the middle of his sophomore year, he was already the SEC’s all-time leader in return yardage. S – Rashad Johnson, Alabama – Nobody made more big plays for the Crimson Tide en route to their 12-0 regular season than Johnson. He has an uncanny knack for the ball, best displayed with his critical overtime interception in Bama’s win at LSU. Special Teams PK – Joshua Shene, Ole Miss – There wasn’t that great, elite kicker in the SEC as usual this season, but Shene was at the top of the list. Ole Miss beat Florida, LSU, Auburn, Mississippi State and then won the Cotton Bowl. Shene’s accuracy was a big part of the Rebels success. P – Tim Masthay, Kentucky – He and Brian Mimbs were the league’s top two punters. Kentucky was a surprise this season, winning seven games. Masthay was a big part of a third straight bowl berth as Kentucky often won the special teams battle. Returns – Brandon James, Florida – Not since Reggie Bush has a returner been so feared. James was at his very best in Knoxville, virtually winning the game with a pair of knockout blow first quarter returns. James is every bit as frightening as Tebow and Harvin.

Bulldawg Illustrated

5",& " #*5& 065 0' "5)&/4 UBLF B CJUF PVU PG BUIFOT CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

BU

A TASTE OF ATHENS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 FROM 5PM-8PM AT THE CLASSIC CENTER

OFX UIJT ZFBS BIRTHDAY CAKE COMPETITION

Come celebrate 25 years of Community Connection at A Taste of Athens Sunday, February 22nd 2009

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS Aromas Barberitos Southwest Grille Big City Bread Café Brett’s Casual American Careaway Cakes Casa Mia Cecelia Villaveces Cakes Copper Creek Brewing Co DePalma’s Italian Café Donderos’ Kitchen East West Bistro Farm 255 Five and Ten Five Points Deli and More Five Star Café Foundry Park Inn and Spa Gnat’s Landing Harry Bissets’s New Orleans Café Hilltop Grille

BEVERAGE OFFERINGS Jennings Mill Country Club Kelly’s Jamaican Food Kingpins Bowl and Brew La Dolce Vita Last Resort Grill Leon Farmer and Company Locos Grill & Pub Mama’s Boy Mirko Pasta Porterhouse Grill Savannah Room Taste of India Thai Spoon The Basil Press The Daily Neighborhood Deli The Grill The National Weaver D’s

1000faces Coffee Coca Cola General Wholesale Jittery Joes Northeast Sales Distributing Inc. Pepsi Bottling Group Quality Wine & Spirits Terrapin Beer Company Tiger Mountain Vineyards Waterman Spring Water

www.TasteofAthens.com TasteofAth

Senior Gala

(left-right) Andrew Williams, Rennie Curran, Knowshon Moreno and Coach Richt

(left-right) Randie Wortman, Bill and Dorothy Little

(left-right) Joseph Thomas, Gordan Beckam and Rob Sherrell

(left-right) Summer Neel, A.J. Green and John Neel

Rich Gaffoglio and Katie Gaffoglio

Leslie Farmer and Brianna Huffman

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Bulldawg Illustrated

Senior Gala

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Kevin “Chappy� Hynes and Joe Cox

Randy and Cindy Rutherford

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Jim Claussen and Jim Hickey

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Bulldawg Illustrated staff with Akeem Dent

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Bob Pease and Lynn Tweedell

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(left-right) Ed Williams, Luke Williams, Jenny Robbins, Cliff Robbins, Tavarres King

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Greater Piedmont Touchdown Club Gala

Joe Frierson. Jr., GPTC “Man of the Year”

Steven and Leslie Farmer

(left-right) Greg Irvin, Robert Hardell, Scott Crymes and Rhett Butler

(left-right) Laura Meeks, Clay McElroy and Carol Simmons

(left-right) Marcus Simmons, Brad Lastinger, Dale Shedd (winner of the coveted President’s award) and Bert Hill

(left-right) Phil and Susan Buchanan, Tim and Shannon Sherrer

Brad Lastinger and Marcus Simmons

The men of GPTC

(left-right) Tom Allen, Shooter and Hart Roberts

Susie Cross and Paree Shedd

(left-right) John Dorris, Tab Norris, Bear Meeks and Leslie Dorris

(left-right) Clay McElroy, Phil Buchanan and Gary Hudson

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Taylor Murray and Kevin Brown

Bobby Wilfong and Tab Norris

Randy Pearson and George Barkley

Julie Barkley and Melissa Pearson

Bulldawg Illustrated

JD’s Best of 2008 By Jeff Dantzler BULLDAWG ILLUSTRATED Most Valuable Player Knowshon Moreno, TB One of Georgia’s greatest tailbacks ever made the Bulldogs go. When he came out of the game, no position experienced a more substantial drop-off. Moreno joins Herschel Walker as the lone Georgia runners to top the 1,000-yard mark in multiple seasons. The case could certainly be made for both Trinton Sturdivant and Jeff Owens, both of whom were sorely missed by the Bulldogs. Most Outstanding Player Knowshon Moreno, TB There is sometimes a difference between the Most Outstanding Player and the Most Valuable Player. Think Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter. This season and last, Moreno was both. On the lowest risk of plays, a simple handoff, a great tailback can score a touchdown or make a big play. This is the element Georgia had missed since Robert Edwards ran wild in 1997. Most Outstanding Defensive Player Rennie Curran, LB A true Bulldog, Curran doesn’t have the classic size of star linebackers, but he is fierce, fast and full of heart. A tackling machine, Curran shined in the Bulldogs win at South Carolina and against Michigan State. He got nicked up against LSU and was slowed for the rest of regular season, but Curran still rarely left the field. He’ll headline what should be a much improved defense in 2009. Most Outstanding Special Teams Player Brian Mimbs, P In the second half of the season, Georgia’s special teams was an utter disaster, an F. Were it not for Mimbs, it would have been an F-minus. The rampant injuries trickled down and contributed greatly to the crippling of the kicking game. Mimbs was awesome and delivered the big boots in road wins at South Carolina and Auburn. The Dogs likely don’t win those two without their punter. Most Outstanding Freshman A.J. Green He’s the most talented receiver to ever don the famed silver britches. Green is the total package of hands, speed and elusiveness. Whoever is throwing passes for the Bulldogs in 2009 will have one of the nation’s elite players to throw to. Green is Georgia’s next AllAmerican. For the Bulldogs to hit their maximum potential in 2009, Green must be utilized and touch the pigskin as much as possible. Best Game 52-38 over LSU Though the season was a disappointment due primarily to the losses to Florida and Tech, the Bulldogs did beat South Carolina, Tennessee, LSU and Auburn in the same year for the first time ever. The victory in Baton Rouge over the defending national champions was the highlight, as Georgia vaulted to 7-1 and back into SEC and national title talk. It made for an enjoyable week in Jacksonville and the Golden Isles – until kickoff. Biggest Offensive Play Moreno’s run and Matthew Stafford’s connection with Aron White in Baton Rouge certainly qualify. But Stafford’s go-ahead touchdown pass in the closing minutes to Green in Lexington gets the nod. Stafford avoided pressure and a sack, while Green made a Dwight Clark-esque leaping grab amongst a host of Wildcats to put Georgia up 42-38. DeMarcus Dobbs came up with the game-saving interception that was one of the biggest defensive plays of the year. But that nod goes to‌ Biggest Defensive Play On the first play from scrimmage in Baton Rouge, Darryl Gamble intercepted a Tiger pass and returned it for a touchdown. He didn’t just break it up, and on the return, Gamble kept his balance and SCORED. If he goes down on the ten, who knows? The play also lent instant comic relief when a great Georgia fan from Cumming encouraged the Dawgs to “keep it up!â€? To which my buddy Scott replied, “if we keep this up, that means we’ll score on EVERY play and win something like 724 to nothing!â€? Biggest Offensive Surprise Clint Boling A standout at right tackle as a freshman, Boling became the fourth Bulldog to play left tackle when Vince Vance went down with a season-ending knee injury. Georgia upgraded at the position. Boling has great feet and had an outstanding year, earning All-SEC honors. With Trinton Sturdivant returning from a knee injury, the Dogs figure to be tremendous at tackle for the next two years.

photo by Chris Collins

Biggest Defensive Surprise Darryl Gamble Dannell Ellerbe was one of the SEC’s best linebackers in 2007, but struggled through 2008 due to injury. This is another area where the Bulldogs upgraded with Gamble. Early in the Tennessee game, he rocked a blocker and blasted the tailback to turn what looked to be about a nine-yard gain into a three-yarder. Then in Baton Rouge, he was the nation’s best defensive player on that day, returning two interceptions for scores while racking up 13 tackles.

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UGA A Alumni lu lumni A Association ssoociation

GRUFF & GRUMP By Chad White and Al Hickson

2008 is now officially in the books

Upcoming Events For more information or to register for any of the following events, visit the UGA Alumni Association website.

ALUMNI DAY WITH WOMEN’S BASKETBALL - JAN. 11, 2009 ALUMNI GATHERING AT GABY’S ON THE LAKE - JAN. 15, 2009 ALUMNI NIGHT WITH MEN‘S BASKETBALL - JAN. 24, 2009 FOUNDERS’ DAY - JAN. 27, 2009 ALUMNI DAY WITH WOMEN’S BASKETBALL - FEB. 1, 2009 ALUMNI DAY WITH MEN’S BASKETBALL - MARCH 7, 2009 2ND ANNUAL DAWG TROT - MARCH 14, 2009 ANNUAL ALUMNI AWARDS LUNCHEON - ARPIL 17, 2009 UGA NIGHT AT SIX FLAGS - APRIL 17, 2009

For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Event Planner Wanda Darden at wdarden@uga.edu.

THE UNIVERSIT NIVERSITY Y OF GEOR EORGIA RGIA G A AL LUMNI UMN NI ASSOCIA SSOCIATION ATION T www.uga.edu/alumni w www w.uga.edu/alumni .

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22

The 2008 football season is now officially in the books. A year that at one time had the promise of a very special season ended with a mix of severe frustration and some accomplishment. We would be remiss not to begin by wishing the senior class well in all their endeavors in life. They have put forth effort on and off the field that has translated into many wins and some heartbreaking losses. This class was led by one of our personal all-time favorites in Mohammed Massoquai. MoMass capped off a great career with an outstanding season on one of the most prolific offenses in the history of Georgia football. Speaking of offense, our offense carried this team to another ten win season and another top 10 ranking in the coaches’ poll while the AP left us on the outside looking in at number 13. The 2008 season ended with a Dawg atop the SEC leaderboard in rushing, passing, and receiving. This is the first time this incredible feat has been accomplished since the days of Steve Spurrier’s vaunted attacks of the mid nineties. We all remember quite well the misery that came with facing those teams. A.J. Green burst onto the scenes and lived up to every billing of his incredibly hyped arrival. He led the league with 963 total receiving yards on 56 catches to go along with 8 touchdwons. He and Mr. Mass were absolute terrors to deal with on the edges as Mohammed reeled in 58 catches of his own to go with 920 yards and another 8 touchdowns. Two of the greatest Dawgs to ever don the red and black have opted to begin their careers in the NFL. Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno will forever be remembered in Athens. These two also became personal favorites as they made football plays that were unimaginable. From Knowshon’s leap frog of a defender to Stafford’s Montanaesque touchdown pass to A.J. in the corner at Kentucky, these two never ceased to amaze. They will be missed. It will be very difficult to think about the fact that they have now come and gone. It is becoming surreal to us already. How can it be that we will no longer witness their greatness between the hedges? How can the sands already have slipped through the hourglass without Coach Richt and his staff having allowed them an upperclassmen offensive line to work behind? How can we have the best offensive line coach in the SEC working miracles week in and week out with one of the toughest bunch of youth laden offensive lineman we could dream of for the second straight season and it go without mentioning the poor, poor offensive line recruiting efforts turned in by Coach Richt and the gang from 2003-2005, these efforts following up some of the greatest seasons in school history? Well, there is the answer, it can’t. We will never be able to look back at the 24/7 era without thinking about what might have been. What might have been if we had a competent defense? What might have been if we had competent special teams? Could this high-powered offense mirror the one south of the southern border had we had a line not filled with freshman and sophomores for the second straight season? Do not misunderstand, we do not lay any blame at the feet of the offense. They were the second leading offense in the conference. We lost two of our three games when they scored thirty or more points. Speaking of scoring thirty or more points, Coach Martinez’s unit is getting good at allowing that. We allowed thirty or more points in three halves of football this season. We allowed thirty-eight or more points in four of our final five games. We allowed more than forty in three of those. Georgia Tech won their first game in eight years after we scored forty-two points. LSU scored thirty-eight and was playing a quarterback that would have struggled in the 5-A state championship game. Yep, thirty points surrendered is no longer an anomaly in Athens. It is becoming the norm. In Coach Martinez’s tenure of four short years, we have surrendered over thirty eleven times. That means we give up over thirty

points twenty-five percent of the time against BCS opponents. Over forty percent of the time, we allow the opposition over twenty points. Do the math folks. That means three times a season, on average, we will need to score over thirty points just to win the game. Nearly half the time, we will need more than twenty. That sure is a bunch of pressure for the offense, wouldn’t you think? Do they ever get a game when they do not show up and the defense will carry them? Auburn this year when we squeezed out a 17-13 victory on the plains, you say? Well, Auburn had the second worst offensive output in our conference in this entire decade. You did not misread that. They scored more than their average against our defense. People talk about no pass rush and Pollack and the others are no longer here. Can we not scheme around this? It seems a bit insulting to a DC to say he has to have a three time All-American to succeed. Who were Alabama’s vaunted defensive ends that were so unstoppable? Injuries? Sure we had some. Most of them were on the offensive line. Those guys gutted it out and worked through them and were a part of a tremendous offense as we have already covered. Less talent on the field across the board has been another excuse. Really? How do you explain the tell of two halves versus the gnats? We looked plenty good enough in the first half. The offense shouldered some blame for leaving the D in bad spots. Fair enough. How bout hold the other team to some field goals? Is that legal? And to add, when is the defense ever gonna give the offense a short field to deal with and help those guys out? The special teams were atrocious. We had a record breaking kick returner who returned exactly zero kicks (good luck on Sundays, Asher. You da man). Of all the speed we have accumulated, we had a third string quarterback return the lion’s share of the punts. The kickoff coverage is so incredibly insane we are getting furious just typing this? How many All-American kickers are we going to have kick fifty plus yard field goals and continue to use the ridiculous directional kick. Why do we stack our unit with walkons and linebackers when Florida has mostly their fastest players on their same unit? Do you guys think our results may be related? Don’t give us injuries as an excuse. You continued to put two starting linebackers out there who had no back-ups healthy. Coach Richt seems to think maybe Poland is the answer. We think a new scheme is. We think it is time to start playing big boy football again and quit with the softness that has permeated our mindset. No tackling in the preseason? Really? Had we known that earlier we could have saved some money this year. Everyone should know you won’t be successful if you don’t tackle in twoa-days. So we were in a tough spot due to injuries. Fair enough. But, you won’t definitely get injured. You will definitely be soft if you don’t tackle. We have preached and preached about Florida on here. Nothing has changed. Until we quit being scared to circle this game in the locker room as a must win, we will continue to have no change. All of our dreams go through Jacksonville every season. Put it on the bulletin board. Paint it on the weight room wall. Whatever you do, don’t forget it. We will do our part not to let you. And Coach, as for your comment that you have raised the expectations that anything less than championships and the fan base is upset not being all bad, we have these questions. What championship trophy do we have from 2007? We were all pretty pumped at the end of it. If those expectations aren’t all bad, then which part of them is bad? We expected championships when you got here. That is why the last guy got kicked out (well, that and losing to Tech). That is why you get paid championship money. That is why you are close to being a legend here, because you won them. Let ‘s get back to the money next year. Beat Florida. Beat Florida. Beat Florida. And, beat Tech. Get a ring. Get it done. Go Dawgs!

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